Before Nollywood . . . The Ideal Photo Studio celebrates the photography of Solomon Osagie Alonge (1911–1994) and honors the work of African studio photographers. Largely unknown today, early Nigerian studio photographers struggled like their Nollywood successors with minimal equipment and finances, yet made significant contributions to the history of African photography and portraiture and to representing Africa’s changing communities.

For further information at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art website.